Chester FC Season So Far

Whether you like the game or not, there is a lot of focus on football at the moment. What with the World Cup going on in Qatar for one thing, there’s plenty of action to be found on normal terrestrial television. Matches galore in fact in the first week of the tournament. And with the premier international footballing tournament going on that also means less top flight domestic football across the world. Which will include our very own Premier League, Championship etc. However, a bit lower down the footballing pyramid, games are unaffected. Like in Chester FC’s division, the National League North. Games are going ahead as normal. So what about the Chester FC season so far? Read on to find out more.

If you are a football fan but don’t necessarily follow anyone in these lower leagues, then maybe you need a fix of ‘live’ football. Do you need a quick update that may entice you out of your “World Cup Armchair?”

Over the weekend I was following some of the domestic games myself. This entailed checking out some of the FA Cup Second Round games. I quite enjoyed the Ebbsfleet v Fleetwood game for instance. Quite often in these games you have an answer to a “I wonder whatever happened to?” question. A case in point. Scott Brown, ex-Scotland international, captain of Celtic for many years and winner of 23 trophies with the Glasgow giants. Now manager of Fleetwood. I didn’t know that until yesterday. The game itself was won by Fleetwood. An entertaining game and good football played.

Chester FC Season So Far

But back on topic. Chester FC season so far. On Saturday just gone (26th November), Chester were away to Scarborough Athletic in the National League North. Like Chester FC, Scarborough are a reformed club. A reformed club rising from the ashes of a previous life’s Football League existence. The National League North sits below the National League in the footballing pyramid, so as such, it is the 6th tier of English football.

The game on Saturday was a top of the table affair in that Scarborough (3rd in the table before kick-off) were entertaining Chester FC (5th in the table before kick-off. Or were they 6th?). All very tight at the top actually. And to add a bit more spice to proceedings, Scarborough were protecting a proud unbeaten home record. They were undefeated at home for more than 12 months. An impressive statistic at any level of football.

All in all then, a tough game for Chester. Speaking to a Chester FC pal of mine, the sort of game in recent seasons past that would have seen Chester more than likely lose. Not my forecast. A view held by many Chester fans I believe. The outcome? Scarborough Athletic 1, Chester FC 3.

Chester FC Season So Far – On A Bit Of A Roll

As you’ve seen from the score, a fairly emphatic win for Chester. A very important win of course given the opposition and the league standings at stake. And by all accounts, it wasn’t a result out of the blue (no pun intended). The win on Saturday meant that Chester FC have now accumulated 21 points out of the last 27 on offer.

In game numbers speak, that is 6 wins and 3 draws in the last 9 games. Now that is very, very impressive. As the sub heading indicates, Chester are on a bit of a roll. Momentum in football often counts for quite a lot. The win kept Chester in 5th place but a quick glance of the table makes for even more interesting reading. They are only 4 points off top spot.

**League table image snippet taken by myself from Sky Sports website**

Only 8 points separating the top 9 sides. Very close indeed. Yes, two of the teams (AFC Fylde and Kings Lynn) have 3 games in hand, but as is often the case in football, this isn’t always an advantage. Only time will tell of course. There’s always a lot of “if’s” in football but as you can see in the table Chester have taken part in 7 draws. And as pointed out above, 3 of these draws were in the last 9 games. One of which where the opposition (Leamington Spa) equalised in the 2nd minute of injury time. If Chester had held on for another couple of extra minutes or, another 2 points and the even headier heights of 3rd place and 2 points off the summit.

But, as they say in football, it’s swings and roundabouts, so no use in worrying about “what ifs.” What the league table will show is that Chester are in a strong position as the halfway point of the league campaign nears. Another footballing cliche. Will Chester be able to “kick-on?” Again, only time will tell. However, from taking a look a bit more closely behind the scenes, there does seem to be a bit of a buzz about the season.

Chester FC Season So Far – Summer Appointment

You will have noticed above I made reference to ex-Glasgow Celtic legend, Scott “Broonie” Brown. Broonie is now manager of Fleetwood in League One of the English footballing pyramid. A high profile manager without a doubt. But it is his first managerial post, so will that high profile reputation count for anything? Again, only time will tell. How many times over the years have we seen high profile players enter management and come unstuck. I’m not suggesting that this will happen to “Broonie” but on the other hand, 23 trophies at Glasgow Celtic does not mean success for Fleetwood. And, of course, he will know that.

Quite often, a high profile managerial appointment can put extra pressure on a club. That’s just the way it is. On the flip side of that though is that often fans get more excited about a “name” manager being appointed. And are disappointed when a so called lesser “name” is put in charge. A case in point being Chester FC’s appointment of their new manager last summer. I know of some Chester fans who would have liked to have seen a higher profile “name” be appointed. But why was that? What was the basis for that?

I think it’s fair to say that the appointment made may have had some football fans scratching their heads a bit. Chester’s new manager was a local and not only that, he was – by football managers terms – a real youngster. Still in his 20’s in fact. Also throw into the equation his managerial positions already present on his CV. In short, there weren’t that many. A gamble? Most definitely. But there again, isn’t any or every managerial appointment? Just ask Aston Villa fans.

But fast forward a little over six months from May just gone. And take a look at the league table again as well in the image above. I must admit I fitted into the “head scratching” bracket as I didn’t know much about him. Mind you that counts for very little as even though I am a big footie fan, my following of football doesn’t extend to any great knowledge of National League football unfortunately.

Chester FC’s new managerial appointment? Step forward, Calum McIntyre.

Impressive Interviews

Given the current standings in the table, it’s clear that Chester have an opportunity to impress even further this season. It is also clear that the team and the new manager have made an impressive start to the season. Not only that. Talking to some Chester FC fans pals of mine, several other things are very much in place as well as the results. And that is the quality of the football and the ‘never say die spirit’ of the squad.

Any club can have quality players but if the style and the tactics of the football does not fit with the strengths of the players available, then invariably, the football produced is of a poor standard. Add to this a situation where team spirit is low, then inevitably a team will struggle. The flip side of course with the correct tactics to dovetail with the strength of the players and an ability to motivate, or lift the players, then you can be looking at a totally different story.

Chester FC fans I know have all said how much better the football is and how much better the spirit is within the club. Over the weekend I watched several interviews held with Calum McIntyre both before and after games. Putting his footballing knowledge aside for a moment as becoming a football manager at any level means that you must have a certain level of knowledge about the beautiful game, what really stood out was his enthusiasm. And his obvious love of Chester FC. All of his interviews were very impressive. A very well spoken, dedicated young man.

A Special Bond

Also, he clearly has a special bond with Chester fans. And that is a priceless commodity to have. At the end of the match highlights of the Scarborough game, you can see the players mingling with the fans and the fans celebrating with the players. Then who appeared on the pitch to add that extra special bit of togetherness? Yes, you’ve got it, Calum McIntyre. And the fans were going bonkers. The exchange culminated in McIntyre giving the fans a triple, celebratory, fist pump. If you follow football in the Premier League, you will know the sort. Like at the end of a Liverpool victory when Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool fans become one.

And that is always a very special coming together. Calum McIntyre is only 6 months into his Chester managerial career. And he is only 28 or 29 years of age. So, in more ways than one, it is still very early days in his footballing journey. But if a manager is in a position to build and develop something positive going forward, then maybe….just maybe, Calum McIntyre has just installed the right platform.

It’s too early to start talking about winning leagues or play-offs, but in football you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth. Which also means of course, learn to enjoy the smooth with the rough. And over the years, there has been a fair amount of rough for Chester FC fans. So, why can’t they be at least optimistic without getting too carried away. One thing is for sure though, they will know that they have a man at the helm who will give his all for the club. And, at this stage of the proceedings, you can’t ask for any more than that.

Chester FC Season So Far – Going Forward

So far, there have been 20 league games played. Another 26 to go. Like teams in all leagues, Chester will be looking to be as lucky as they can be when it comes to injuries. Let’s hope they can steer away from any injury crises. As Chester are a fan owned club with no rich sugar daddy waiting and able to throw a shedload of money at a problem and hope the monetary numbers game will eventually bring success, any injury turmoil cannot be met by spending their way out of it.

It is hoped therefore that given the playing resources currently available, the squad stays intact as far as it possibly can and that the effervescent, charismatic manager that is Calum McIntyre can continue on an upward projection and that he can also continue to build something enjoyable for the rest of this season and for many more seasons ahead.

In terms of a six month – Chester FC Season So Far – report, the signs are encouraging. But, there’s still plenty to do no doubt. Let’s hope that the second half of the season pans out as all Chester FC fans hope. I think as the season does progress, more Chester FC posts will follow.

And while I’m at it, I’ll soon give a shout out to Chester RUFC as well. Let me contact my pal Dave for an update. Watch this space.

Next up for Chester is a home game against Blyth Spartans this Friday, 2nd December; 7:45pm kick-off. So, if you’ve overdosed on World Cup footie and want to see a bit of live footie, then why not pop along to the Deva Stadium. You can find ticket details HERE.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

Thanks for reading my latest blog post – Chester FC Season So Far – and thanks for visiting my Chester Lifestyle website. It’s very much appreciated. To see all of my blog posts on a variety of topics, then have a look HERE. Plenty of meaty……and not so meaty…things to get your teeth into.

Christmas Almost Upon Us

With Christmas alsmost upon us, you may be looking for the ideal Christmas gift for your loved ones. If so, and you are thinking about something Chester related, then have a look at my Chester section of my new Etsy store. You can find out more about my Etsy store HERE.

Plenty of originally created downloadable digital artwork for you to have a look at HERE. And, as I say, Christmas is nearly here. Go on….you know you want to!!

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